The Way to Judge

I'm almost at the end of my 6 Month Challenge of the Book of Mormon.  I'm a little bit sad too, knowing that while the pressure of meeting the goal will not be there, the incentive to delve into the scriptures will have to come from another source, besides a leader-driven goal. 

Today I read the 7th chapter of Moroni, where Moroni includes a sermon his father gave in a synagogue, prior to his passing.  He shares a beautiful message about faith in Christ, the mission of angels, and miracles.  One of my favorite parts speaks of good and evil things.  Mormon says,

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.  Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil." 

A short while later, he explains how to judge.

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

(photo source)

These verses mean a lot to me, especially while the things I've been learning lately tend to land me in front of skeptical eyes.  Muscles testing, in particular, while not yet entirely understood scientifically, has shown to be a "good" thing in my life, and as I "judge" that it is "good", I trust that it is a tool from God, which I can use to help bless my life and those willing to also trust it is "good".   

6 Month Challenge - Spiritual Gifts

Part of my 6 month challenge included an assignment, to pick a topic to look out for in my reading.  I was to write it inside the cover of a new copy of The Book of Mormon, and then highlight any verses where the topic comes up.  Here's what's inside my cover:

Focus:
Gifts of the Spirit
Angels
Dreams
Visions

Etc.

I find it interesting lately, how many people are leery of anyone professing to have gifts of the Spirit.  But they are talked about ALL the time in the scriptures.  This challenge is truly evidence of that for me, as I'm marking all these verses in blue colored pencil.  I found one again in Omni, a very seldomly quoted book, where many generations had opportunity to pen a few verses.  Here is Amaleki speaking:

"...I shall deliver up these plates unto [king Benjamin], exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil."  (Omni 1:25, italics added)

(Sorry, I don't have source info for this.  If you know it, please let me know so I can cite {or get permission!;}.  So beautiful!)

It seems a lot of people these days are hesitant to believe anything that is extraordinary.  Most of us use cell phones, wireless internet, fly in airplanes, and do or use many things that work by unseen means, but when we hear of someone who can prophesy or do things we don't understand, we often automatically chalk it up to being evil –of the devil.  Amaleki cautions us to observe whether or not it is "good".  For he wants us to believe in these good, marvelous gifts.  Is that not what Christ did?  The most extraordinary, wonderful miracle for all of us?  

We are to continue to believe.  And more than that –to know, and experience the blessings of these things. 

~Jen:)

xoxo